Last week we mentioned that we are the new ‘Even Steven’ following an 8-8 start to week one. For an encore, we went 8-8 for week two. Something has to give. Let’s dive in for our week three winners.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (-8) at HOUSTON TEXANS (O/U 43)
The Carolina Panthers have been as impressive as any team in the NFL this season. As a reward for their strong performance thus far–the Panthers get the Davis Mills-led Houston Texans. There is no way that the Texans can keep this game close or within the point spread. I’ll take the Panthers going away.
PREDICTION: Panthers 27 Texans 13
ARIZONA CARDINALS (-7) at JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (O/U 51.5)
Kyler Murray and the Cardinals’ offense has been flying high all season long. I don’t anticipate the Jaguars defense putting up much of a fight in this one. The Cardinals pass rush of Chandler Jones and JJ Watt will give rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence nightmares. This game will be a blowout from the opening coin-flip.
PREDICTION: Cardinals 31 Jaguars 16
BALTIMORE RAVENS (-8) at DETROIT LIONS (O/U 50)
The Baltimore Ravens come from behind victory against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night was one of the most impressive feats of the young season. The Ravens should be able to run all over the Detroit Lions defense in this one. The Lions’ offense remains devoid of playmakers outside of T.J. Hockenson and doesn’t have the required firepower to keep pace with the Ravens.
PREDICTION: Ravens 31 Lions 17
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (-6.5) (O/U 55)
Both the Chargers and Chiefs come into this game following a loss. I would expect we see both teams playing at a high level. Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense just have not clicked as of yet. I believe week three is the game where the offense gets rolling. I will pick the Chiefs to win the game, but this will be a tight one–I’ll take the Chargers and the points.
PREDICTION: Chiefs 34 Chargers 31
WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM at BUFFALO BILLS (-7.5) (O/U 45.5)
Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills offense just have not been firing on all cylinders. Josh Allen detractors point to possible regression. Call it a gut call, but I believe the Bills offense looks the best it has all season this week against the Washington Football Team. Give me the Bills, and I’ll give the points.
PREDICTION: Bills 30 WFT 20
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (-2.5) (O/U 41.5)
The Saints have been the NFL version of Jekyll and Hyde in 2021. What team we see in week three is anyone’s guess. The Patriots have played a conservative style that relies on the running game and underneath passing from rookie Mac Jones. Expect the Patriots to focus on limiting Alvin Kamara and do just enough to secure a victory.
PREDICTION: Pats 20 Saints 17
CHICAGO BEARS at CLEVELAND BROWNS (-7) (O/U 45.5)
The debut of Justin Fields will be a fascinating watch. The rookie signal-caller gets thrown into the fire and must face pass-rushers Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney. On the other side of the field, Baker Mayfield will be without Jarvis Landry. All signs point to Odell Beckham Jr. suiting up for the first time in 2021. I like the Bears’ balance of running the ball and playing solid defense to keep this game close enough to cover the spread.
PREDICTION: Browns 23 Bears 20
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS at TENNESSEE TITANS (-5.5) (O/U 48)
The Indianapolis Colts will be without Carson Wentz for their divisional match-up against the Tennessee Titans. In limited exposure, Jacob Eason didn’t appear prepared for primetime. The Titans’ offense found their groove in the 2nd half last week, and I would expect that momentum to carry into this one. The Colts can’t keep pace with their backup quarterback under center.
PREDICTION: Titans 27 Colts 13
ATLANTA FALCONS at NEW YORK GIANTS (-3) (O/U 48)
The Falcons/Giants game is a battle of two desperate 0-2 teams. The Falcons offense has struggled to get anything going this year. The Giants could have easily won last Thursday Night. The Giants are a far more complete team on both sides of the ball. The Giants’ defense makes the difference in this one.
PREDICTION: Giants 30 Falcons 23
CINCINNATI BENGALS at PITTSBURGH STEELERS (-3) (O/U 43.5)
The Steelers’ offense looks out of sorts, and it would appear that the end is near with Big Ben. The Bengals offense has been a bit more scattered but shows more explosiveness. I don’t know if Ben can even hold up with the pectoral injury. I’ll take the Bengals here not only to cover but to win outright.
PREDICTION: Bengals 24 Steelers 21
NEW YORK JETS at DENVER BRONCOS (-10.5) (O/U 41)
Teddy Bridgewater has been one of the pleasant surprises in 2021. The Denver Broncos defense has not been a surprise, we thought Denver would have a top-five defense, and they have. Zach Wilson has struggled with taking too many risks and putting the Jets in an uphill battle. I don’t imagine the rookie turns it around in this one.
PREDICTION: Broncos 30 Jets 16
MIAMI DOLPHINS at LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (-3.5) (O/U 45)
The Miami Dolphins will be without Tua Tagovailoa in this one. Jacoby Brissett will start for the Dolphins. The Raiders have started the season white-hot with back-to-back upsets of the Ravens and Steelers. The Raiders pass-rush is the difference in this win as Las Vegas moves to 3-0.
PREDICTION: Raiders 24 Dolphins 17
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-1.5) at LOS ANGELES RAMS (O/U 55)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense has looked unstoppable at times in 2021. The Los Angeles Rams offense has shown as much firepower as anyone. Why do I think this game turns into much more of a defensive struggle than one would think?
PREDICTION: Bucs 24 Rams 21
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (-1.5) at MINNESOTA VIKINGS (O/U 55.5)
The Minnesota Vikings defense has been gouged two weeks in a row, and now get the red-hot Russell Wilson. The Vikings are 0-2 and will play with a desperation to avoid going 0-3. I will take the more explosive team in Seattle to get it done.
PREDICTION: Seahawks 34 Vikings 27
GREEN BAY PACKERS at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (-3.5) (O/U 50)
The 49ers’ offense has appeared out of sync, despite their 2-0 start. The best remedy is the Packers’ defense that looks abysmal. I believe the Packers’ passing game is the ‘X’ factor in this one as Aaron Rodgers leads the Pack to the upset.
PREDICTION: Packers 26 49ers 23
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES at DALLAS COWBOYS (-3.5) (O/U 52)
NFC East division rivals battle on Monday Night Football. The Cowboys’ offense is too explosive for the Eagles to match, but the Eagles’ defense keeps the game close enough that the Birds will cover.
PREDICTION: Cowboys 27 Eagles 24
I like beer. I like football. Sometimes, both at the same time.
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